Optimizing Polymer Flooding Techniques Using Eclipse Simulation Software in a Model Reservoir

Abstract This study focuses on the optimisation of polymer flooding operations in an intermediate oil reservoir with an API gravity of 30°, using the Eclipse 100 simulator. It aimed to increase oil recovery by varying polymer concentrations and evaluating their impact on reservoir performance metrics. The simulation includes three distinct polymer concentrations: 12 lb/bbl, 22 lb/bbl, and 32 lb/bbl, to identify the optimal concentration that maximises oil production while balancing operational costs. The study employs a five-well configuration, four injectors and one producer and uses Eclipse 100 to simulate a polymer flood operation for 4000 days. Results indicated that the 12 lb/bbl concentration run achieved 58% recovery of OOIP. The run recovered 418.05 million barrels in 4000 days while requiring 1.06 billion barrels of water injected alongside 6.3 million tons of polymer. Cost analysis of the simulation run showed that while the 32 lb/bbl run achieved a 63% cost to revenue, the 12 lb/bbl run achieved 23% cost to revenue although not including certain cost like operational and acquisition costs. The study recommends the 12 lb/bbl concentration as the optimal concentration for polymer recovery operations in similar reservoir types and further suggests more ways to optimize such as; utilizing locally available polymers, treating and reusing produced water and utilizing underground water sources.